President Trump on Saturday touted the might of the U.S. Army at the end of a two-hour parade to mark the 250th anniversary of the branch, framing it as a celebration of the country’s military successes.
“Every other country celebrates their victories. It’s about time America did, too,” Trump said in prepared remarks. “That’s what we’re doing tonight.”
Saturday’s event came amid turmoil at home and on the world stage, but there was no mention from Trump of outside events. He spoke for about eight minutes, focusing on the Army’s origins and several specific instances of bravery from soldiers in wars throughout American history.
“Watching this magnificent display, our souls are filled with gratitude for every generation of warriors who have worn the uniform back to the very beginning,” Trump said.
Trump watched the parade from a viewing stand on Constitution Avenue. Other officials sitting with the president included Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Vice President Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and first lady Melania Trump.
At the conclusion of his remarks, Trump and the first lady were presented with a folded American flag from a service member.
Vance, who served in the Marines, also delivered brief introductory remarks before Trump, nodding to the MAGA movement’s anti-interventionist bent.
“To our soldiers, we’re so proud of you. And let me tell you, the way that we honor and respect you, number one, we never ask you to go to war unless you absolutely have to,” Vance said.
“And number two, when we do ask you to go to war, we give you the weapons and the support needed to kick the hell out of the enemy and come back home safely,” he added.
The president looked on as various military vehicles rolled down the street, including Sherman tanks and Howitzers. The U.S. Army Golden Knights parachuted onto the Ellipse near the parade route, landing near Trump’s riser. Various groups of soldiers marched along the street, with Trump standing to salute at multiple points.
The parade had been clouded by forecasts of stormy weather on Saturday evening. And while a few raindrops fell, severe storms held off and allowed the event to proceed mostly as planned with thousands of onlookers gathered along the parade route.
The event was ostensibly to celebrate the Army’s 250th anniversary, but it in recent months became intertwined with Trump himself, especially given it fell on his 79th birthday. Critics questioned the sizable price tag and likened the display to similar events in authoritarian nations like Russia and North Korea.
Anti-Trump “No Kings” demonstrations took place across the country, with thousands of protesters showing up in major cities like Chicago, Philadelphia, New York and elsewhere.
Hours before the parade began, the nation was rocked by political violence after former state House Speaker Melissa Hortman (D) and her husband were killed in what Gov. Tim Walz (D) called a “politically motivated” attack.
And tensions were rising in the Middle East after Israel and Iran in recent days traded missile strikes.
Trump did not mention the conflict abroad, the violence in Minnesota or the protests during his remarks on Saturday evening. Earlier in the day he said he was briefed on the shooting in Minnesota and said such “horrific violence will not be tolerated in the United States of America.”